The Department of Commerce Bloghttp://www.commerce.gov/frontpage/2013/05/23/digital-government-strategy-brings-big-c..
The U.S. Department of Commerce has a broad mandate to advance economic growth and jobs and opportunities for the American people. It has cross cutting responsibilities in the areas of trade, technology, entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship and statistical research and analysis.
The products and services the department provides touch the lives of Americans and American companies in many ways, including weather forecasts, the decennial census, and patent and trademark protection for inventors and businesses. The development of commerce to provide new opportunities was the central goal at the department's beginning in 1903 and it remains a primary obligation today.enNew Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections: Nation Expected to Become Majority-Minority by 2044http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/03/new-census-bureau-report-analyzes-us-population-projections-nation-expected-become-m
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<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/march/final_projections-highlights_draft-5.jpg" rel="lightbox[field_photo][New Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/march/final_projections-highlights_draft-5.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; id=&quot;lightbox2-download-link-text&quot;&gt;Download Original&lt;/a&gt;]" class="imagefield imagefield-lightbox2 imagefield-lightbox2-custom_crop_350x230 imagefield-field_photo imagecache imagecache-field_photo imagecache-custom_crop_350x230 imagecache-field_photo-custom_crop_350x230"><img src="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/custom_crop_350x230/images/2015/march/final_projections-highlights_draft-5.jpg" alt="New Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections " title="New Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections " width="331" height="350" /></a> </div>
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<p>A new U.S. Census Bureau report released
today provides an in-depth analysis of the nation’s population looking forward
to 2060, including its size and composition across age, sex, race, Hispanic
origin and nativity. These projections are the first to incorporate separate
projections of fertility&nbsp;for native- and foreign-born women, permitting
the Census Bureau to better account for the effects of international migration
on the U.S. population.</p>
<p>According to the report, <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwMzAzLjQyMzUxOTExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDMwMy40MjM1MTkxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTgyNTkyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2NwdWxsZW5AZG9jLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9a2NwdWxsZW5AZG9jLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&amp;&amp;&amp;101&amp;&amp;&amp;http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2015/demo/p25-1143.pdf?eml=gd&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S.
Population: 2014 to 2060</a>:</p>
<ul><li>The U.S. population is expected to grow more slowly in future decades than it
did in the previous century. Nonetheless, the total population of 319 million
in 2014 is projected to &nbsp;reach the 400 million threshold in 2051 and 417
million in 2060.</li><li>Around the time the 2020 Census is conducted, more than half of the nation’s
children are expected to be part of a minority race or ethnic group. This
proportion is expected to continue to grow so that by 2060, just 36 percent of
all children (people under age 18) will be single-race non-Hispanic white,
compared with 52 percent today.</li><li>The U.S. population as a whole is expected to follow a similar trend, becoming
majority-minority in 2044. The minority population is projected to rise to 56
percent of the total in 2060, compared with 38 percent in 2014.</li><li>While one milestone would be reached by the 2020 Census, another will be
achieved by the 2030 Census: all baby boomers will have reached age 65 or older
(this will actually occur in 2029). Consequently, in that year, one-in-five
Americans would be 65 or older, up from one in seven in 2014.</li><li>By 2060, the nation’s foreign-born population would reach nearly 19 percent of
the total population, up from 13 percent in 2014.</li></ul>
<p>
To access previously issued population
projections visit: &lt;<a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&amp;enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwMzAzLjQyMzUxOTExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDMwMy40MjM1MTkxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTgyNTkyJmVtYWlsaWQ9a2NwdWxsZW5AZG9jLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9a2NwdWxsZW5AZG9jLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&amp;&amp;&amp;102&amp;&amp;&amp;http://www.census.gov/population/projections/data/national/?eml=gd&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">http://www.census.gov/population/projections/data/national/</a>&gt;</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/03/new-census-bureau-report-analyzes-us-population-projections-nation-expected-become-m#commentsBureau of the CensusTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:00:43 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17587 at http://www.commerce.govGeneral Counsel Welsh Promotes Commercial Law Development in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/02/general-counsel-welsh-promotes-commercial-law-development-bahrain-saudi-arabia
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<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/march/img_5673_cropped.jpg" rel="lightbox[field_photo][General Counsel Welsh promotes commercial law development in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/march/img_5673_cropped.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; id=&quot;lightbox2-download-link-text&quot;&gt;Download Original&lt;/a&gt;]" class="imagefield imagefield-lightbox2 imagefield-lightbox2-custom_crop_350x230 imagefield-field_photo imagecache imagecache-field_photo imagecache-custom_crop_350x230 imagecache-field_photo-custom_crop_350x230"><img src="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/custom_crop_350x230/images/2015/march/img_5673_cropped.jpg" alt="General Counsel Welsh promotes commercial law development in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia " title="General Counsel Welsh promotes commercial law development in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia " width="350" height="123" /></a> </div>
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<p>U.S.
Department of Commerce General Counsel Kelly Welsh met with government
officials and business leaders in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this week to
strengthen ties with regional counterparts and to assess challenges U.S.
businesses face in the those countries. The General Counsel’s Commercial Law
Development Program (CLDP) organized the trip as part of ongoing efforts to
improve the legal environment for American companies doing business in the
Middle East.</p>
<p>The
Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
welcomed General Counsel Welsh at the Riffa Palace, where they discussed the
importance of strong economic ties between the United States and Bahrain.&nbsp;They
also discussed steps taken to advance the commercial legal system in Bahrain,
which will enhance the ease of doing business and attract foreign
investment.&nbsp;His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Commerce Zayed
Rashid Al Zayani commented during the meeting on the strong ties between the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s CLDP and the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and
Commerce.&nbsp;</p>
<p>General
Counsel Welsh focused on entrepreneurship developments in Bahrain at a roundtable
with members of the business community, and offered suggestions on how to
create a legal environment that is conducive to investment and growth.&nbsp;Welsh
and the delegation also discussed ways to advance U.S. and international
investments in Bahrain with representatives of the American Chamber of
Commerce. </p>
<p>In
Saudi Arabia, General Counsel Welsh discussed the role of the Saudi Arabian
General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in modernizing commercial law in Saudi
Arabia with His Excellency Abdullatif Al-Othman, governor of SAGIA, and His
Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal. </p>
<p>General
Counsel Welsh also met with the senior leadership of the Saudi Arabian Monetary
Agency (SAMA), including Vice Governor Mr. Abdulaziz S. Al-Furaih. SAMA officials highlighted
the Saudi bankruptcy law draft being circulated for review, and they noted steps
the Saudi Arabian government is taking to promote anti-corruption.&nbsp;The SAMA
officials indicated their desire to cooperate with CLDP on insolvency laws in
the Kingdom. They also discussed ways to enhance the climate for investments in
the United States by Saudi Arabian entities and individuals.<!--break--> </p>
<p>General
Counsel Welsh also discussed joint programming to enhance commercial law
modernization in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East with the Deputy
Minister of Commerce and Industry (MCI) for Legal Affairs, Dr. Fahad Abu Hamed.&nbsp;In addition,
General Counsel Welsh met with the Saudi Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Chairman H.E. Mr. Mohammed Al-Jadaan, who briefed the General Counsel on the
progress the CMA and MCI legal teams were making in advancing the commercial
legal infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
hosted the Commerce delegation to discuss its role in leading IPR programming
to increase IPR awareness and capacity in Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle
East region.&nbsp; </p>
<p>In
all of these meetings and forums, General Counsel Welsh and CLDP stressed the
importance of a strong commercial rule of law to economic development and the
value of CLDP in those efforts. In conversations with business leaders in the
country, the General Counsel discussed ways to improve the legal and business
environment in Saudi Arabia for U.S. and Saudi Arabian businesses.&nbsp;By
promoting transparent and predictable legal systems around the world, the
Department of Commerce is focused on fostering a global business climate that
fosters growth and innovation.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/02/general-counsel-welsh-promotes-commercial-law-development-bahrain-saudi-arabia#commentsCommercial Law Development ProgramGeneral Counsel Kelly WelshSaudi Arabian General Investment AuthorityOffice of General CounselMon, 02 Mar 2015 21:34:24 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17585 at http://www.commerce.govDepartment of Commerce Operating Status for March 2, 2015http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/02/department-commerce-operating-status-march-2-2015
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">In
accordance with the Office of Personnel Management’s Operating Status,
Department of Commerce offices in the Washington, DC area <span style="color: black;">are <strong>OPEN</strong> under <strong>2 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL</strong> and employees have the <strong>OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK</strong>. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Non-Emergency Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
who report to the office will be granted excused absence
(administrative leave) for up to 2 hours past their expected arrival
time. In accordance with their </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">bureau/operating unit’s <span style="color: black;">policies
and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining
requirements (as consistent with law), non-emergency employees may
notify their supervisor of their intent to use:</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<ol type="1"><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">earned annual leave, compensatory time off, credit hours, or sick leave, as appropriate;</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">leave without pay;</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">their alternative work schedule (AWS) day off or rearrange their work hours under flexible work schedules; or</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">unscheduled&nbsp;telework (if telework-ready).</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"></span></li></ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">(Employees who request unscheduled leave will be charged leave for the entire workday.)</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Telework-Ready Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
who are regularly scheduled to perform&nbsp;telework or who notify their
supervisor of their intention to perform unscheduled&nbsp;telework must be
prepared to&nbsp;telework for the entire workday, or take unscheduled leave,
or a combination of both, for the entire workday in accordance with
their </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">bureau/operating unit’s <span style="color: black;">policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements (as consistent with law).</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Pre-approved Leave.</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
Employees on pre-approved leave for the entire workday or employees who
requested unscheduled leave for the entire workday will be charged
leave for the entire day.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Emergency Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;"> are expected to report to their worksite on time unless otherwise directed by their agencies.</span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">More information and details on Operating Status can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-status/" target="_blank">http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-status/</a>,</span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">Personnel
may also contact the DOC Status Line at 202-482-7400 for recorded
updates regarding changes in the Department of Commerce’s operating
status.</span></p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/03/02/department-commerce-operating-status-march-2-2015#commentsOperating statusMon, 02 Mar 2015 10:45:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17582 at http://www.commerce.govPresident Obama Renews Charge to Help Rural Companies and Communities Compete Globallyhttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/27/president-obama-renews-charge-help-rural-companies-and-communities-compete-globally
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<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/spiral-candles-product-of-nd.jpg" rel="lightbox[field_photo][Spiral Candles, proudly made in North Dakota&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/spiral-candles-product-of-nd.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; id=&quot;lightbox2-download-link-text&quot;&gt;Download Original&lt;/a&gt;]" class="imagefield imagefield-lightbox2 imagefield-lightbox2-custom_crop_350x230 imagefield-field_photo imagecache imagecache-field_photo imagecache-custom_crop_350x230 imagecache-field_photo-custom_crop_350x230"><img src="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/custom_crop_350x230/images/2015/february/spiral-candles-product-of-nd.jpg" alt="Spiral Candles, proudly made in North Dakota" title="Spiral Candles, proudly made in North Dakota" width="350" height="191" /></a> </div>
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<p>Yesterday, President Obama announced <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/022615_exports.pdf">new
commitments in the “Made in Rural America” export and investment initiative</a>,
which is charged with bringing together federal trade-related resources for
rural communities and businesses. This announcement reflects the
Administration’s strategy for ensuring workers and businesses of all sizes, from
communities large and small, benefit from the nation’s economic resurgence.&nbsp; </p>
<p>The Department of Commerce also released data yesterday that
show <a href="/blog/2015/02/26/commerce-secretary-penny-pritzker-announces-twenty-six-states-achieved-record-export">26
states set new export records in 2014</a>, and many of those states are in the nation’s
heartland. </p>
<p>The Administration’s next steps in the “Made in Rural
America” initiative build on input received from rural businesses and
communities throughout the past year. &nbsp;Following
<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/07/fact-sheet-opportunity-all-establishing-new-made-rural-america-export-an">the
President’s announcement of the initiative in February 2014</a>, agencies led
several regional forums across the country, a Rural Opportunity Investment
conference last summer, and new partnerships to help more rural businesses – making
everything from amphibious vehicles to aquaculture products – plug in to export
assistance.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Last year, we confirmed that rural businesses have the
products and services in demand worldwide, and the drive to export – just like
urban businesses. The challenge is improving their access to information and
export services, including financing and logistics. U.S. Commercial Service –
North Dakota Director Heather Ranck and rural companies spoke about that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Qs2i1Xfv8">in this “Export Experts” video</a> released last October.</p>
<p>Highlights from yesterday’s announcement include the following:
<!--break--></p>
<ul><li>The International Trade Administration has
established a new National Rural Export Innovation Team to help more rural
businesses access export-related assistance, information and events. The team
already has 74 members nationwide.</li><li>Through the support of the Appalachian Regional
Commission, Delta Regional Authority and others, we will double the number of
rural businesses served by these partners that international trade shows and
missions.</li><li>The Economic Development Administration (EDA) will
launch a new i6 Rural Challenge, based on the previously successful i6
challenges, which will focus on providing funding to rural communities to build
capacity for commercializing technology.</li><li>EDA will establish a mentor-protégé program for
rural communities that will help all communities involved learn how to leverage
their own assets, build their resources, and foster a culture that drives
innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.</li><li>Agencies will work with state and local partners
to raise awareness of federal resources with rural businesses and community
lending institutions.&nbsp; This includes commitments
from the Ex-Im Bank, SBA and the Delta Regional authority as well as the U.S.
Postal Service’s commitment to host internationally-focused “Grow Your
Business” day-long events across the country.</li><li>The
Department of Agriculture and its partners will lead reverse trade missions and
ITA will conduct outreach events for rural businesses to meet foreign buyers
and commercial experts.</li></ul>
<p>Many at the county, state, and national level responded to
the President’s “Made in Rural America” charge, as we saw first-hand in <a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdamediafb?contentid=2014/06/0111.xml&amp;printable=true&amp;contentidonly=true">Canonsburg,
PA</a>; <a href="http://dra.gov/newsroom/press-release/dra-rural-manufacturing-and-increased-exports-key-to-regional-investment-an/">Memphis,
TN</a>; <a href="/blog/2014/09/05/deputy-secretary-andrews-highlights-efforts-boost-rural-exports-upstate-new-york">Cortland,
NY</a>; <a href="http://www.arc.gov/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=475">Tuscaloosa,
AL</a>; <a href="http://www.naco.org/newsroom/countynews/Current%20Issue/8-25-2014/Pages/%27Made-in-Rural-America%27-initiative-an-opportunity-for-all.aspx">Cedar
Rapids; Gila County, AZ and Clackamas County, OR</a>. In addition, the
Administration has made efforts like Made in Rural America a key priority in
our national export strategy, <a href="http://www.trade.gov/neinext">NEI/NEXT</a>.&nbsp; </p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://business.usa.gov/rural-exporting">businessusa.gov/rural-exporting</a>.
</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/27/president-obama-renews-charge-help-rural-companies-and-communities-compete-globally#commentsExportsMade in Rural AmericaInternational Trade AdministrationFri, 27 Feb 2015 20:00:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17580 at http://www.commerce.govSpotlight on Commerce: Michelle A. Crockett, National Program Manager EEO and Diversity, NOAA National Ocean Servicehttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/27/spotlight-commerce-michelle-crockett-national-program-manager-eeo-and-diversity-noaa
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<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/mac1.jpg" rel="lightbox[field_photo][Spotlight on Commerce: Michelle A. Crockett, National Program Manager EEO and Diversity, NOAA National Ocean Service&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/mac1.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; id=&quot;lightbox2-download-link-text&quot;&gt;Download Original&lt;/a&gt;]" class="imagefield imagefield-lightbox2 imagefield-lightbox2-custom_crop_350x230 imagefield-field_photo imagecache imagecache-field_photo imagecache-custom_crop_350x230 imagecache-field_photo-custom_crop_350x230"><img src="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/custom_crop_350x230/images/2015/february/mac1.jpg" alt="Spotlight on Commerce: Michelle A. Crockett, National Program Manager EEO and Diversity, NOAA National Ocean Service" title="Spotlight on Commerce: Michelle A. Crockett, National Program Manager EEO and Diversity, NOAA National Ocean Service" width="280" height="350" /></a> </div>
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<p>As
National Program Manager for Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity at the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service (NOS) I
serve as the principal advisor to the Assistant Administrator, Deputy Assistant
Administrator and other senior management in fostering the principles and
practices of NOS’ Diversity Program, and its Equal Employment Office (EEO) Program,
and to assure compliance with affirmative action laws and regulations.&nbsp; I formulate, develop, recommend, and
implement policy, procedures and programs in collaboration with NOS Program and
Staff office representatives.&nbsp; I am
responsible for planning, developing, and implementing NOS EEO program and
diversity activities, which includes; coordinating all phases of policy
analysis, planning, implementation and communications to support NOS EEO and
diversity management initiatives. The
most important function of my position is I have the opportunity to work with
both managers and employees to seek resolution for conflict occurring in the
workplace.&nbsp;</p>
<p>My
life has been shaped from experiences I had growing up in the small southern
town of LaGrange, GA.&nbsp; My parents
instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and education, cultivated
in a faith centered home. My parents
experienced discrimination and they were always aware of its existence, but
they would never allow me to use it as an excuse for not working hard to
achieve success. My father’s favorite
quote was, “hard work is its own reward” and I have to agree that these words
have served as the catalysis for my success.&nbsp;
I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration for Georgia
Southwestern University and my Certification in Equal Employment Opportunities
Studies from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
began my federal career within the Department of Defense, Defense Commissary
Agency as an Accounting Specialist, but my true passion for equal rights and
opportunities lead me to my position here at NOS.&nbsp; It may sound like a cliché but I truly love
my job.&nbsp; No two days are the same and every
day I have the ability to foster and generate a greater awareness for
organizational diversity.&nbsp; People are
diverse in many ways.&nbsp; We all have a
number of differences that offer substantial opportunities and possibilities to
make organizations successful and our world a better place.&nbsp; When we accept our differences and learn to
work with them, we enrich our lives and improve the creativity and productivity
of the organization.&nbsp; Hence, when we are
able to fully embrace and implement an effective diversity strategy whereby
everyone feels validated the need for enforcement policies are diminished.&nbsp;<!--break--></p>
<p>Beyond
fostering diversity my job also allows me to support employee affinity groups
and non-profit professional organizations that seek to eliminate barriers for
members of underrepresented groups in the federal workplace. One such group is
Federally Employed Women (FEW).&nbsp; FEW is a
46-year old grassroots organization with a mission to end sex and gender
discrimination, to encourage diversity for inclusion and equity in the
workplace, and to advance the professional growth of women in federal
service.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In
2012, I was elected as FEW’s 22<sup>nd</sup> National President and I was
re-elected on May 2014 to serve a second term.&nbsp;
My work for FEW fuels my passion to advocate for women’s rights to
ensure we have equal access to training and career opportunities, awards and
promotions, and enhance the percentage of women in senior level positions.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As
we celebrate Black History Month, I am reminded that Black History Month is so
much more than just commemorating the lives of blacks who did something
amazing, extraordinary, and revolutionary.&nbsp;
It is also about recognizing the significance of a race coming together
to fight for the rights that they knew they so richly deserved.&nbsp; Black History Month gives us the opportunity
to acknowledge and recognize those people who have made a difference and who
continue to make a difference today. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The
advice that I would offer to young African American seeking to enter into the
federal sector is to not limit yourself, fully explore and take advantage of
the endless opportunities.&nbsp; Hard work is
its own reward and the benefits derived from serving your country are
priceless.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/27/spotlight-commerce-michelle-crockett-national-program-manager-eeo-and-diversity-noaa#commentsBlack History MonthSpotlight on CommerceNational Oceanic & Atmospheric AdministrationFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:50:35 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17578 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce Secretary Penny Pritzker Announces Twenty-Six States Achieved Record Export Levels in 2014http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/commerce-secretary-penny-pritzker-announces-twenty-six-states-achieved-record-export
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<p>U.S. Secretary of
Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced new data that shows 26 states achieved
records in goods exports in 2014, while eight additional states experienced
growth in merchandise exports over 2013 levels. Total merchandise exports from
all 50 states helped the U.S. achieve the fifth consecutive record-setting year
of goods and services exports, which reached $2.35 trillion in 2014.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Secretary
Pritzker praised today’s announcement stressing the fact exports are critical
to economic growth and job creation in communities across the country. “With 95 percent of the world’s consumers
living outside the United States, opening more markets to ‘Made in America’
goods and services is fundamental to our nation’s competitiveness, job
creation, and the economic security of our families,” she said.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Strengthening
partnerships with states and rural communities in support of exporters and
investment attraction efforts is a key objective for the second phase of
President Obama’s <a href="http://www.trade.gov/neinext/">National Export Initiative – NEI/NEXT</a>, which Secretary
Pritzker launched in May 2014. Through NEI/NEXT, 20 federal agencies are
advancing program and policy improvements to provide exporters more tailored
assistance and information; streamline export reporting requirements; expand
access to export financing; ensure market access and a level playing field; and
collaborate with state and local organizations.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 26 states that set
new records for exports in 2014 include: </p><ul><li>Texas ($289.0 billion);</li><li>California
($174.1 billion);</li><li>Washington ($90.6 billion);</li><li>Illinois ($68.2 billion);</li><li>Louisiana ($65.1 billion);</li><li>Ohio ($52.1 billion);</li><li>Georgia ($39.4 billion);</li><li>Indiana ($35.5 billion);</li><li>Tennessee ($33.0 billion);</li><li>North Carolina ($31.3
billion);</li><li>South Carolina ($29.7 billion);</li><li>Kentucky ($27.5 billion);<!--break--></li><li>Wisconsin
($23.4 billion);</li><li>Minnesota ($21.4 billion);</li><li>Arizona ($21.1 billion);</li><li>Oregon
($20.9 billion);</li><li>Virginia ($19.2 billion);</li><li>Iowa ($15.1 billion);</li><li>Maryland
($12.2 billion);</li><li>Nebraska ($7.9 billion);</li><li>North Dakota ($5.3 billion);</li><li>New
Hampshire ($4.4 billion);</li><li>New Mexico ($3.8 billion);</li><li>Rhode Island ($2.4
billion);</li><li>Wyoming ($1.8 billion); and</li><li>Hawaii ($1.5 billion).&nbsp;</li></ul>
<p>In addition, the
following states achieved growth in total merchandise exports in 2014: Alabama;
Alaska; Maine; Massachusetts; Missouri; Montana; New Jersey; and South Dakota.</p>
<p>More information and
additional facts about state exports in 2014 can be found by accessing the <a href="/news/press-releases/2015/02/26/department-commerce-announces-twenty-six-states-achieved-record-expor">full press release</a>.&nbsp;</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/commerce-secretary-penny-pritzker-announces-twenty-six-states-achieved-record-export#commentsNational Export InitiativeNEI NEXTInternational Trade AdministrationSecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:01:15 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17574 at http://www.commerce.govSpotlight on Commerce: Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/spotlight-commerce-jay-williams-us-assistant-secretary-commerce-economic-development
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<p><strong>Ed. note: This post is part of the&nbsp;<a href="/category/tags/spotlight-commerce">Spotlight on Commerce</a>&nbsp;series highlighting members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to building a middle class economy in honor of Black History Month</strong></p><p><em>Guest blog post by&nbsp;<em><a href="http://www.eda.gov/about/leadership.htm">Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development&nbsp;</a></em></em></p><p>Outside of my parents, the most influential person in my
life was the late Bishop Norman L. Wagner.&nbsp;
Bishop Wagner served as the pastor of the church I attended virtually my
entire life.&nbsp; Some of his most powerful
lessons focused on service to others and living a life of purpose.&nbsp; One of Bishop Wagner’s quotes that continues
to resonate with me today is that “significance
is paramount to success.” Those words have guided me in my career and life.
I strive to do things that have significance and affect real change.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After graduating from Youngstown State University in my
hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, with a business finance degree, I worked in the
banking industry for several years, until leaving to pursue a career in public
service – leaving to pursue significance.&nbsp;
In 2005, I was elected as the youngest and first African-American mayor
in the City’s history.&nbsp; I am proud to
have been given the opportunity to help change the dynamics and the
conversation about Youngstown.&nbsp; Not just
because it’s my hometown, but also because the issues facing Youngstown were
not unique. My work at EDA allows me to
focus on critical issues that affect distressed communities like Detroit,
Michigan; Gary, Indiana; Fresno, California; and rural areas such as Conover,
North Carolina.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development,
I have the privilege of leading the Economic Development Administration (EDA),
which is the only federal agency with a mission focused solely on creating
economic opportunities in distressed communities throughout the United States.
Distress is something I understand on a very personal level.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It strikes me as somewhat poetic that I was born and spent most
of my life in a community that was, for many years, defined by economic distress. Youngstown was often at the center of the U.S.’s
“post-industrialization” debate for nearly three decades due to its historic
economic dependence on the declining steel industry. While the city still faces many challenges,
in recent years, it has become defined less by its problems and regarded more
for its recovery efforts.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In my role at EDA, I often travel across the country and am
afforded the opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds. They may
differ in age, race, and wealth, but they share a common thread - a shared
sense of purpose and a desire to create better prospects for their communities
and themselves.<!--break-->&nbsp;</p>
<p>I was honored to be asked to serve in the Obama
Administration – to help shape the legacy of the first African-American
president. In my opinion, one of the defining legacies of President Obama will
be his leadership in steering the U.S. away from the greatest economic decline
this country has witnessed since the Great Depression.&nbsp; At the core of the President’s efforts, were
his policies and actions to create greater economic opportunities for
Americans.&nbsp; This speaks directly to what
EDA does every day!&nbsp; EDA is a small
federal agency, but our “fingerprints” are on a broad array of examples that
the President often cites when making his case for expanded prosperity in our
country.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There are many great black men and women throughout history
who may not have been looking for significance, but they certainly achieved it.
Although we should certainly not limit ourselves to one month a year, Black
History month provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the contributions
blacks have made to American history and our society.&nbsp; Throughout my career in public service, I keep
Bishop Wagner’s words with me. See, there is absolutely nothing wrong with
wanting to be successful. However, I
would offer to young black Americans or any young person for that matter,
particularly as it relates to a career choice, that significance lasts far
longer than success. Significance also provides
far greater rewards, most importantly, rewards to others.&nbsp;</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/spotlight-commerce-jay-williams-us-assistant-secretary-commerce-economic-development#commentsAssistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay WilliamsBlack History MonthSpotlight on CommerceEconomic Development AdministrationThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:10:19 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17571 at http://www.commerce.govDepartment of Commerce Operating Status for February 26, 2015http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/department-commerce-operating-status-february-26-2015
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">This message applies to Thursday, February 26, 2015</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">In
accordance with the Office of Personnel Management’s Operating Status,
Department of Commerce offices in the Washington, DC area <span style="color: black;">are <strong>OPEN</strong> under <strong>2 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL</strong> and employees have the <strong>OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK</strong>. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Non-Emergency Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
who report to the office will be granted excused absence
(administrative leave) for up to 2 hours past their expected arrival
time. In accordance with their </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">bureau/operating unit’s <span style="color: black;">policies
and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining
requirements (as consistent with law), non-emergency employees may
notify their supervisor of their intent to use:</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<ol type="1"><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">earned annual leave, compensatory time off, credit hours, or sick leave, as appropriate;</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">leave without pay;</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">their alternative work schedule (AWS) day off or rearrange their work hours under flexible work schedules; or</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span></li><li class="x_MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">unscheduled&nbsp;telework (if telework-ready).</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"></span></li></ol>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">(Employees who request unscheduled leave will be charged leave for the entire workday.)</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Telework-Ready Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
who are regularly scheduled to perform&nbsp;telework or who notify their
supervisor of their intention to perform unscheduled&nbsp;telework must be
prepared to&nbsp;telework for the entire workday, or take unscheduled leave,
or a combination of both, for the entire workday in accordance with
their </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">bureau/operating unit’s <span style="color: black;">agency's policies and procedures, subject to any applicable collective bargaining requirements (as consistent with law).</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Pre-approved Leave.</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">
Employees on pre-approved leave for the entire workday or employees who
requested unscheduled leave for the entire workday will be charged
leave for the entire day.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: &quot;Tahoma&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black;"></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;">Emergency Employees</span></em></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; color: black;"> are expected to report to their worksite on time unless otherwise directed by their agencies.</span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">More information and details on Operating Status can be viewed online at <a href="http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-status/" target="_blank">http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/current-status/</a>,</span></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;">Personnel
may also contact the DOC Status Line at 202-482-7400 for recorded
updates regarding changes in the Department of Commerce’s operating
status.</span></p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/26/department-commerce-operating-status-february-26-2015#commentsOperating statusThu, 26 Feb 2015 10:30:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17569 at http://www.commerce.govSpotlight on Commerce: Cecelia V. Royster, Director, Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management, Bureau Procurement Official, National Institute of Standards and Technologyhttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/25/spotlight-commerce-cecelia-v-royster-director-office-acquisition-and-agreements-mana
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<p><strong>Ed. note: This post is part of the&nbsp;<a href="/category/tags/spotlight-commerce">Spotlight on Commerce</a>&nbsp;series highlighting members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to building a middle class economy in honor of Black History Month</strong></p><p><em>Guest blog post by&nbsp;Cecelia
V. Royster, Director, <a href="http://www.nist.gov/director/acquisitions/index.cfm">Office of
Acquisition and Agreements Management, Bureau Procurement
Official, National Institute of Standards and Technology</a></em></p><p>Black
history month has a special place in my heart. When I began my federal
government career 30 years ago with the U.S. Coast Guard, it was when I learned
of the many inspiring accomplishments of African Americans. There was Captain
Richard Etheridge, who became the first African-American to command a
Life-Saving station in North Carolina in 1880, and Captain Michael Healy or “Hell
Roaring Mike”, who took command of the revenue cutter Chandler in 1877.
During his 20-year career, Captain Healy was the United States Government in
most of Alaska where he acted as judge, doctor, and policeman to Alaskan
natives, merchant seamen and whaling crews. And more recently, Admiral Stephen Rochon, the first African-American to serve as Chief Usher
of the White House,
was a good friend
and mentor to me during my Coast Guard career. Black History month allowed me to cherish my heritage, and appreciate the
contributions of these great men.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So I’m especially
honored to share my own story of a career in public service this month.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
was born in Washington, D.C. of parents from the mountains south of Lynchburg, Va.,
who believed in and demonstrated the values of integrity, attention to detail
and above all, a strong work ethic. Both of my parents worked and retired from lifetime
careers in the federal government and my father, a decorated Korean War Veteran
and U.S Army retiree, insisted that our home stress the values of family accountability
and devotion to duty and country.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
grew up singing in the choir and being a member of the junior usher board at
our family African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. As a young teen, I
attended Kittrell College, which was a part of the AME church, every summer for
a one week summer session which provided young African American students with
an introduction to African art, poetry and highlighted the careers of
successful African American entrepreneurs, physicians, scientist and educators.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Currently,
I am the Director of the Office of Acquisition and Agreements
Management (OAAM), and the Bureau Procurement Official (BPO)&nbsp;for the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) where I oversee
the full range of the $1 billion acquisition
and financial assistance activities awarded for NIST and seven client Bureaus
under the Department of Commerce to support ongoing programs, operations and
mission objectives. &nbsp;NIST technological
research activities - cover an incredibly diverse range of disciplines
including &nbsp;bioscience, health care,
chemistry, neutron research, nanotechnology, information technology, ,
manufacturing, public safety, energy, physics, cybersecurity and computer
technology laboratory practices for all aspects of advanced science.&nbsp;<!--break--></p>
<p>NIST is a renowned scientific research
facility, and I have the oversight responsibility to ensure the delivery of world-class
services and products required to meet mission goals.&nbsp; I supervise approximately 150 employees
located in Gaithersburg, Md., Boulder, Colo. and Washington, DC.&nbsp; I also oversee the provision of acquisition
services for seven of the DOC client bureaus. &nbsp;</p>
<p>OAAM is responsible for the
award of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, other fellowships and
reimbursable and payable agreements in accordance with Federal Acquisition
Regulations and&nbsp; Departmental policies
and regulations. As the BPO, I work with the NIST laboratory and program units to
ensure implementation of innovative business models, processes and practices
related to acquisition, grants and agreements management.</p>
<p>The ultimate reward for me is knowing
that by supporting NIST’s mission of advancing science and technology, my
office is helping in its own way to ensure U.S. industry can create innovative
products and new jobs for all Americans.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
began working in acquisition (it was then called “procurement”) as a high
school student at the Naval Research Laboratory. I was accepted into the
Department of Commerce (NOAA) Upward Mobility Finance Program.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However,
I found my passion, in government contracting, when I accepted a position as a
contract specialist for the Coast Guard in 1985. My twenty plus years of U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG) experience was intense, fast-paced and demanding. &nbsp;I continually advanced thru the ranks to
positions of higher contract management responsibility. I also had the
opportunity to travel both in the U.S. and abroad negotiating complex
contracts.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Averett
University, a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from George
Washington University, and a Master’s of Science degree in National Resource
Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). I am also a
Council for Excellence in Government Alumnus.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In
2004, I was selected to represent the Coast Guard at the Industrial College of
the Armed Forces (ICAF). ICAF is a United States military educational
institution tasked with preparing selected military officers and civilians for
leadership positions.&nbsp; Upon completion of
ICAF in 2005, I was assigned as the Contracting
Officer to lead a U.S. Coast Guard Deepwater Air Domain project team and had the
responsibility to award a $117.5 million dollar Lockheed Martin contract to
equip and integrate the Coast Guard's six C-130 J-model aircraft. Six months
later I was selected as the Chief
of the Contracting Office at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration where
I managed &nbsp;a $379 million dollar budget of
acquisitions and grants.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In
2008, I was appointed the NIST Deputy Chief of Acquisition. While performing
these duties I served a collateral duty as NIST Small Business Broker. I was
selected as the Chief of the Acquisition Management Division in 2010 and served
as the Acting Chief of the Grants Management Division for 15 months.&nbsp; I became the first NIST African American
female in the Senior Executive Service (SES) when I was selected for my current
position as the Director of the Office of Acquisition
and Agreements Management&nbsp;(OAAM).&nbsp;</p>
<p>I am a
member of several professional organizations including the National Contract
Management Association (NCMA)and the National Association of Professional Women
(NAPW).&nbsp; I also serve as an Advisory Board
member to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp; I am an alumnus of Jack and Jill of America,
Inc. and an active member of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Links, Inc.&nbsp;</p>
<p>My husband
of 26 years and I have three children and one grandchild. Our oldest two
daughters have both received their Master’s degrees and our son graduated from
the Naval Academy in 2013. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The
three most influential people in my life have been my father, James Robert
Austin, my mentor during my Coast Guard career, Captain Richard B. Cook (USCG,
Ret.) and my husband, Charles. My father lived and demonstrated the principles
of hard work and dedication and above all, a laser focus on devotion to
family.&nbsp; Captain Cook mentored and
coached me thru the labyrinth of professional education, skills and knowledge
required to become the acquisition professional that I am today. And my
husband, Charles, lives and demonstrates the effects and rewards of a life of
teamwork, sharing and unselfishness.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I
enjoy mentoring young professionals aspiring to enter into the world of Federal
contracting. For me, it has been an exciting field offering endless opportunities
to learn, travel, be innovative and expand my horizons. &nbsp;I tell them that in the field of contracting
you are part of a team that working together can reach goals and accomplish
great things that even our most heroic forefathers could only dream of.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/25/spotlight-commerce-cecelia-v-royster-director-office-acquisition-and-agreements-mana#commentsBlack History MonthSpotlight on CommerceNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:21:39 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17567 at http://www.commerce.govSpotlight on Commerce: Joann J. Hill, Chief, Office of Business Development, Minority Business Development Agencyhttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/spotlight-commerce-joann-j-hill-chief-office-business-development-minority-business-
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<p><strong>Ed. note: This post is part of the&nbsp;<a href="/category/tags/spotlight-commerce">Spotlight on Commerce</a>&nbsp;series highlighting members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to building a middle class economy in honor of Black History Month</strong></p><p><em>Guest blog post by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mbda.gov/main/people/joann-j-hill">Joann J. Hill, Chief, Office of Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency</a></em></p><p>I am a native of Columbia, South
Carolina and a graduate of Benedict College with a BS in Business
Administration. I also received a Masters of Business Administration from the
Goizueta Business School at Emory University. After college, I began my career
with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in Atlanta, Georgia. In
2000, I joined the MBDA Atlanta Regional Office and have been with the
Department of Commerce for 14 years.&nbsp; I began
my career with MBDA as a Business Development Specialist and was eventually
promoted to Chief of Business Development for the Southeastern Region. My next
promotion relocated me to the MBDA National Headquarters in Washington, DC in
2012 where I currently serve as Chief of the Office of Business Development. In
this capacity I oversee the Office of Business Development and serve as the lead
federal program officer for the nationwide network of MBDA’s 44 Business
Centers. </p>
<p>I lead the effort within the
agency to promote economic opportunities that expand the growth and
competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs) across America. I am responsible
for the creation and implementation of strategies for business development in
the areas of: access to capital, access to contracts; access to emerging
domestic and international markets and global supply chains. &nbsp;We also actively engage strategic stakeholders
like national chambers of commerce and trade associations in collaboration on policy
and programs.&nbsp; </p>
<p>For three consecutive years, I have
served as Conference Director for the National Minority Enterprise Development
(MED) Week Conference, the nation’s largest federally sponsored conference on
minority business enterprise. This conference is held annually in Washington,
D.C. and attracts over 1,000 attendees. Traditionally, we have hosted officials
from the White House, including the Vice President of the United States, the
Secretary of Commerce, Cabinet Secretaries and a host of CEOs from MBEs and
Fortune 500 firms. </p>
<p>My role at the Department of Commerce
has a direct impact on improving the U.S. economy and expanding opportunities
for all Americans. Through MBDA’s programs and initiatives, more than $6
billion in access to contracts, capital and export transactions have been
generated over the past year - resulting in 30,000 jobs created and retained.
This economic infusion contributes to the expansion of the middle class and
growth of the American economy.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>
<p>My
personal leadership philosophy and core guiding principles are: &nbsp;vision, courage, teamwork, and a commitment to
excellence; accountability, clear mission, faith and a relentless work ethic
rooted in integrity.<!--break--></p>
<p>In addition to my service with
MBDA, I have enjoyed being involved in a broad array of community and civic
activities. Through my affiliation with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated, the oldest African American sorority in America founded in 1908,
I am engaged in a number of important community programs.&nbsp; These initiatives include mentoring youth,
food drives, youth scholarships, breast cancer awareness, the American Heart
Association, coat drives and volunteering to aid senior citizens. I also served
on the board of directors of Janie and Ida’s House of Hope that provides
shelter and other services to victims of domestic violence. Additionally, I participate
in the service ministries of Friendship Baptist Church in southwest Washington,
DC. </p>
<p>Black History Month is important
to all of us because it reminds us to reflect on the arduous journey of African
Americans in this country and to take note of the tremendous contributions that
we have made to this great nation. This year I was privileged to celebrate
Black History Month in a unique fashion when I was invited by my alma mater,
Benedict College, to participate in its 28<sup>th</sup> Annual Black History
Month program. I was invited to be a panelist on a televised program with the
President of the College and other distinguished guests. (<a href="http://www.scetv.org/bhtc">www.scetv.org/bhtc</a>) This event was particularly meaningful
to me because it allowed me to not only reflect on the historical significance
of the Black struggle in America, but also to share my personal experiences
with current students and perhaps inspire them to achieve their full potential.
</p>
<p>Benedict College, like most
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), was founded in the
immediate aftermath of the Civil War with a mission of educating newly emancipated
African Americans. The vital purpose of Benedict College and other HBCUs continues
to be to provide educational opportunities for a segment of our society that is
often marginalized. This is accentuated during Black History Month when we
pause to acknowledge the essential role that these institutions and their
graduates have played in the advancement of African Americans.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p>The most fulfilling aspect of my
participation in the recent Benedict College program was my interaction with
the students who sought my advice regarding their future career options and
plans. My most salient advice to them was a quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays,
the legendary president of Morehouse College and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., who often told young students: “You are what your dreams are. So
dream big dreams. Low aim, not failure is the only sin.”&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/spotlight-commerce-joann-j-hill-chief-office-business-development-minority-business-#commentsBlack History MonthSpotlight on CommerceMinority Business Development AgencyTue, 24 Feb 2015 22:32:24 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17563 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Pritzker Speaks at the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board Meeting about the Administration’s Travel and Tourism Agendahttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/secretary-pritzker-speaks-united-states-travel-and-tourism-advisory-board-meeting-ab
<p>U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today participated in a
discussion about the Administration’s travel and tourism agenda at the United
States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Board) meeting. The Board,
established in 2003, serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce
on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States.
Its members, who serve two-year terms, represent a broad cross-section of the
industry, including transportation services, financial services, and hotels and
restaurants, as well as a mix of other small and large firms from across the
country.</p>
<p>During the discussion, Secretary Pritzker spoke about the
administration’s progress towards achieving its national goal for travel and
tourism, which is to increase American jobs by welcoming 100 million
international visitors annually by the end of 2021. Last year alone, a
record-breaking 74 million international visitors came to the United States. </p>
<p>Secretary Pritzker also spoke about the administration’s
ongoing efforts to promote the travel and tourism sector, which are guided by
the Board’s recommendations. She highlighted the agreement to expand visa
validity with China as one particularly notable success. Since the new visa
pact, Chinese demand for U.S. visas has grown by more than 50 percent compared
to the same period in 2014. Following the announcement of an agreement to
extend visa validity with China, the Department of Commerce organized a special
session on travel and tourism during the U.S.-China Joint Commission on
Commerce and Trade in Chicago, to ensure we are maximizing the potential of
that policy change to grow our economy and create jobs.</p>
<p>Another priority of industry is to ensure a positive
experience for international travelers at U.S. airports. A recent report
released by Secretary Pritzker and Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson
calls for a new national goal to provide the best arrival experience in the
world to an ever-increasing number of international visitors while maintaining
the highest standards of national security. To meet this new goal and create an
effective best arrival experience, the Department of Commerce and Department of
Homeland Security have established a joint Task Force, led by the Deputy
Secretary of Commerce and the Deputy Secretary of the department of Homeland
Security, to lead the process and ensure accountability. The Board will make
recommendations to Secretary Pritzker regarding the Task Force priorities and
initiatives.</p>
<p>Another recommendation focuses on infrastructure. To
achieve the national goal of attracting 100 million international visitors
annually by 2021, there must be world-class infrastructure to attract tourism,
serve current and future travelers, and remain a top destination. The
Department of Commerce will provide input to the Department of Transportation
as it develops its 30-year framework for Transportation needs to ensure that
its equities are fully represented.</p>
<p>Secretary Pritzker also referenced the priorities for the
President’s fiscal year 2016 budget, which will include $2 million to increase
the sample size of the Survey of International Air Travelers. In addition, the
Commerce Department is working with the State Department to develop tourism
specific country plans for the top 10 overseas travel and tourism markets. </p>
<p>As a result of the meeting, the Board will be assessing
its priority recommendations, for actions that will have the greatest impact
during the next two years of the administration. </p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/secretary-pritzker-speaks-united-states-travel-and-tourism-advisory-board-meeting-ab#commentsTravel and tourismTravel and Tourism Advisory BoardU.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory BoardSecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:45:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17581 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Pritzker Joins Bipartisan Roundtable on the Benefits of Trade During National Governors Association Winter Meetinghttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/secretary-pritzker-joins-bipartisan-roundtable-benefits-trade-during-national-govern
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<p>Yesterday, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker joined a bipartisan roundtable at the White House on the importance of trade and new trade agreements. The meeting was part of the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington. NGA is the&nbsp;bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors, and its members include the 55 states, territories and commonwealths of the United States.&nbsp;</p><div>Governors John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Gary Herbert of Utah, and Terry McAuliffe of Virginia attended the roundtable, along with Secretary Pritzker, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and White House officials.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>During the discussion, Secretary Pritzker highlighted how trade has helped drive the nation’s economic recovery and proven beneficial to state's economies. For example, more than 5,000 Colorado businesses, both large and small, are counted among the ranks of America’s exporters. Exports from Virginia to our free trade agreement partners have grown by 74 percent over the past 10 years, and in Ogden, Utah, exports drove more than 100 percent of growth out of the recession.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Overall, exports support 11.3 million American jobs – which pay up to 18 percent higher than jobs not related to exports. In addition, the Commerce Department announced earlier this month that American exports had hit an all-time high for the fifth year running – sending $2.35 trillion worth of goods and services overseas.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>That is why the Obama Administration has set an ambitious trade agenda focused on building on this progress.&nbsp; It will ensure U.S. businesses in every state can access more global markets with fewer barriers.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>This agenda includes the completion and implementation of new trade agreements including the <a href="http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/tradeagreements/fta/tg_ian_002777.asp">Trans Pacific Partnership</a>, which the U.S. is negotiating with 11 other nations. Once completed, TPP will give American businesses free trade arrangements with 40 percent of global GDP.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Secretary Pritzker stressed to the attending governors that in today’s global economy, American prosperity is directly tied to our ability to reach new markets and new customers beyond our borders. Today’s roundtable gave Secretary Pritzker an opportunity to&nbsp; urge the nation’s governors to support trade policies like TPP, and explain why they are essential to the growth of the economy, to the creation of good jobs, to the economic security of American families, and to the competitiveness of our businesses.</div>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/secretary-pritzker-joins-bipartisan-roundtable-benefits-trade-during-national-govern#commentsNational Governors AssociationTPPTrans Pacific PartnershipSecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerTue, 24 Feb 2015 18:13:55 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17561 at http://www.commerce.govCommerce's NIST Awards $26 Million to Support Manufacturing in 10 Stateshttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/commerces-nist-awards-26-million-support-manufacturing-10-states
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<p>The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced the award of new cooperative agreements to 10 nonprofit organizations and universities to manage Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers. NIST’s MEP program helps small- and mid-size manufacturers create and retain jobs, increase profits and save time and money. In an open competition, the existing MEP centers in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, were selected to receive a total of $26 million in federal funding, an increase of about $10 million or nearly 60 percent. The funding will allow the centers to reach new customers and offer new services.</p><p>“We are excited to award new agreements that bring increased funding levels to better meet the needs of manufacturers in these 10 states,” said Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Acting NIST Director Willie May. “These awards will allow the centers to help more manufacturers reach their goals in growth and innovation, which will have a positive impact on both their communities and the U.S. economy.”</p><p>In August 2014, NIST announced a competition for the centers in these 10 states as the first step in a multi-year effort to update MEP’s funding structure to better match resources with needs. In March 2014, the Government Accountability Office&nbsp;<a id="http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/662013.pdf|" href="http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/662013.pdf">recommended</a>&nbsp;that MEP update its distribution of funds, which were allocated according to the award each center received when it was first established. The original awards to these states were made more than 10 years ago, and the MEP investment in terms of dollars per manufacturing establishment was below its national average, making them the most underfunded of MEP’s 60 centers.</p><p>Proposals were reviewed by government and independent experts and evaluated against a number of criteria, including demonstration of a thorough understanding of market needs and how proposed service offerings would meet those needs. The reviewers also looked at the proposed business models, performance measurements and metrics, partnership potential, staff qualifications and program management, as well as financial and non-federal cost-share plans.</p><p>The new cooperative agreements are for five years, subject to the availability of annual appropriations and successful annual reviews.<!--break--></p><p>“With the increased funding, the centers will have the opportunity to serve more manufacturers and to reach out to those they might not have served in the past, including manufacturers in emerging industries, in rural areas or those that are very small,” said NIST’s Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services and Acting Director of MEP Phil Singerman. “The funding will also help them to develop new tools to support innovative supply chains, technology acceleration and workforce development.” &nbsp;</p><p>The competition also resulted in organizational and programmatic changes to improve local board oversight, align the centers’ activities with state and federal priorities, establish innovative programs, create new partnerships with diverse stakeholders and reorganize service delivery areas.</p><p>The recipients are:</p><ul><li>Colorado:&nbsp;Manufacturer’s Edge (Boulder) - $1,668,359</li><li>Connecticut:&nbsp;CONNSTEP, Inc., (Rocky Hill) - $1,476,247</li><li>Indiana:&nbsp;Purdue University/Indiana MEP (Indianapolis) - $2,758,688</li><li>Michigan:&nbsp;Industrial Technology Institute/Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (Plymouth) - $4,299,175</li><li>New Hampshire:&nbsp;New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Concord) - $628,176</li><li>North Carolina:&nbsp;North Carolina State University/North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Raleigh) - $3,036,183</li><li>Oregon:&nbsp;Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Tigard) - $1,792,029</li><li>Tennessee:&nbsp;University of Tennessee, Center for Industrial Services/Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Nashville) - $1,976,348</li><li>Texas:&nbsp;The University of Texas at Arlington/Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (Arlington) - $6,700,881</li><li>Virginia:&nbsp;A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership/GENEDGE Alliance (Martinsville) - $1,722,571</li></ul><p>MEP centers are public-private partnerships and must receive a portion of their funding from non-federal agencies or organizations and industry through service fees. According to the program’s cost-sharing requirement, in the first three years of the award, the federal funding must be matched dollar for dollar by the operating entity. In a center’s fourth year, the federal funding reduces to two-fifths of its budget. Centers that operate for five or more years receive one-third of their annual funding from NIST.</p><p>A major goal of the competition was to establish a sustainable funding base by providing larger proportions of cash and increased funding from state and local governments. In eight of the 10 states, the state/local cash increased significantly; in one state the cash contribution remained constant at nearly $2 million; and in the other state, state/local in-kind support replaced in-kind support from other sources.</p><p>As a public-private partnership, MEP delivers a high return on investment to taxpayers. For every dollar of federal investment, MEP clients generate nearly $19 in new sales, which translates into $2.5 billion annually. And for every $2,001 of federal investment, MEP creates or retains one U.S. manufacturing job. Since 1988, MEP has worked with nearly 80,000 U.S. manufacturers, leading to $88 billion in sales and $14 billion in cost savings, and it has helped create more than 729,000 jobs.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/24/commerces-nist-awards-26-million-support-manufacturing-10-states#commentsManufacturing Extension PartnershipMEPWillie MayNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyTue, 24 Feb 2015 16:24:03 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17559 at http://www.commerce.govSpotlight on Commerce: Tommy Wright, Chief, Center for Statistical Research and Methodology, U. S. Bureau of the Censushttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/23/spotlight-commerce-tommy-wright-chief-center-statistical-research-and-methodology-u-
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<p><strong>Ed. note: This post is part of the&nbsp;<a href="/category/tags/spotlight-commerce">Spotlight on Commerce</a>&nbsp;series highlighting
members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to building a middle class economy in honor of Black History Month</strong></p>
<p><em>Guest blog post by Tommy Wright, Center for Statistical Research and Methodology, U. S. Bureau of the Census</em></p><p>Since joining the U. S. Census
Bureau in January 1996 as a research mathematical statistician, I have provided
the overall technical leadership for the Center for Statistical Research &amp;
Methodology (formerly Statistical Research Division). The Center for
Statistical Research &amp; Methodology is the Census Bureau's statistical and
methodological research and consulting
facility.&nbsp;&nbsp;CSRM&nbsp;researchers are engaged in collaborative work
applying known statistical methods and in research for new and better
statistical &nbsp;methods motivated by practical problems using tools from two
key areas: mathematical statistics and statistical computing. Our statistical
methods include: (1) methods that can link hundreds of millions of records in
one data set with hundreds of millions of records in another; methods to bring
better modeling to the internal processing of data from sample surveys and
censuses, including data visualization; methods to compensate for missing data
when respondents do not answer all questions on a questionnaire; methods to
make inferences about finite populations (e.g., of people or of businesses)
using data from probability samples; methods to produce reliable estimates of
characteristics for small levels of geography or small subpopulations when the
sample sizes for these areas are very small or zero; methods to seasonally
adjust economic time series; and methods to test new or improved operations
using computer simulations or designed experiments. </p>
<p>A key aspect of my role is
helping the Census Bureau define statistical problems and finding
excellent&nbsp;researchers &nbsp;to work on them.&nbsp; My colleagues and I
work in collaboration with other&nbsp;Census Bureau staff&nbsp;as well as
through interaction with academic,&nbsp;industrial, government, and other
researchers. I recruit, develop, and maintain a core staff of researchers with
expertise in statistics, statistical computing, and mathematics. The problems and collaborations in my work are a
constant source of stimulating challenges that are especially rewarding when
research results are used and published.</p>
<p>Between 1979 and 1996, I was a
research staff member of the Mathematical Sciences Section at Oak Ridge
National Laboratory where my research focused on probability sampling and
estimation, the design of sample surveys, and elementary applied probability and
combinatorics.</p>
<p><!--break-->I have over 30 years of
undergraduate/graduate teaching experience in statistics and mathematics at
Knoxville College; University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Graduate Program;
University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and most recently Georgetown University
where&nbsp;I&nbsp;continue to serve as adjunct faculty since 2009.&nbsp;I was
an ASA/NSF/Census Research Fellow (1993-1996) pursuing research into using
probability sampling methods to improve the constitutionally required decennial
census count.</p>
<p>Currently, my&nbsp;personal
research&nbsp;has me actively engaged in the consideration of several problems:
(1) optimal allocation of the sample in sample surveys;&nbsp;(2)
apportionment&nbsp;methods for the distribution of seats in the U. S. House
of&nbsp;Representatives following each census; (3) expressing uncertainty in
rankings based on sample surveys; (4) understanding what interviewers do
to&nbsp;obtain cooperation in government face-to-face sample surveys; and (5)
thinking about a role for big data&nbsp;with official government
statistics.&nbsp;&nbsp;These problems are all
related to our mission to provide quality data that helps leaders and decision
makers maintain our nation's representative form of democracy.</p>
<p>I received the M.S. and Ph.D.
in statistics from The Ohio State University, the M.S. in mathematics from the
University of Tennessee, and the B.S. in mathematics from Knoxville College.
My&nbsp;broad contributions in collaborative research (author of one book,
editor of another, and author of over 40 papers in statistics and mathematics
journals), teaching, and service have led to professional recognition: (i)
Elected Member, International Statistical Institute (1989) and (ii) Fellow,
American Statistical Association (1995).</p>
<p>Beyond the
influence of my mother and my community while growing up in Birmingham, Alabama
in the 1960s, I recall the constant encouragement and push from my teachers
urging my fellow students and me to always work hard so that we would be
"ready for integration". Seeking to work hard and finding inner joy
with a positive spirit in all things that one does is advice I would give to
all youth.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/23/spotlight-commerce-tommy-wright-chief-center-statistical-research-and-methodology-u-#commentsSpotlight on CommerceBureau of the CensusMon, 23 Feb 2015 22:45:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17557 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Pritzker Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Oregon and Washington Business Leaders on Importance of International Tradehttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/20/secretary-pritzker-hosts-roundtable-discussion-oregon-and-washington-business-leader
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<p>On Tuesday, Secretary Penny Pritzker visited Portland, Oregon
and Takoma, Washington where she held roundtable discussions on the
importance of trade to our economy with key area business leaders.</p>
<p>Secretary Pritzker started the
day with a tour and visit to General Plastics, in Takoma, Washington, a
leading manufacturer of plastic-based goods. During
the tour she heard from local business leaders about their experiences
exporting to foreign markets and some of the
challenges they currently are facing. During the roundtable discussion
with local businesses, Secretary Pritzker noted how trade and exports benefit
American manufacturers, such as General Plastics. </p>
<p>Later in the day, Secretary
Pritzker visited the headquarters of Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. a leading
manufacturer of multi-use tools in Portland, Oregon. Leatherman currently
employs 500 Oregonians and exports their products to over 100 countries around
the world. During the roundtable discussion, Secretary Pritzker highlighted how
the current trade deals being negotiated will strengthen U.S. exports,
manufacturing, and improve American competitiveness in the global economy.
&nbsp;Local business leaders from Intel, Columbia Sportswear and Columbia Green
also participated in the discussion.</p>
<p><!--break-->At the roundtable the executives
talked about the importance of free trade agreements to the success of their
businesses and highlighted the many ways their companies are innovating to
compete in the global economy. They emphasized that American companies must
enter foreign markets on fair terms. However, many countries impose numerous
barriers that make it hard for manufacturers like Leatherman Tools to reach
those consumers.&nbsp; For example, a Leatherman multi-purpose tool made in
Oregon currently faces tariffs as high as 25 percent in Malaysia, while other
hand tools from other countries face much lower tariffs. Through trade agreements
like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, those barriers would be removed and allow
American companies to compete more effectively in the global marketplace.</p>
<p>During both of her tours and
discussions, Secretary Pritzker made the point that from Washington, D.C., to
Takoma, to Portland, the entire Administration is sending the message that new
trade agreements are essential to ensuring fairness for our
businesses, to upholding our values worldwide, and to advancing
our global economic leadership.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/20/secretary-pritzker-hosts-roundtable-discussion-oregon-and-washington-business-leader#commentsExportInternational tradeOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerFri, 20 Feb 2015 22:45:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17554 at http://www.commerce.govDeputy Secretary Andrews visits Phoenix Manufacturer and Highlights Power of Exports to Local Economyhttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/20/deputy-secretary-andrews-visits-phoenix-manufacturer-and-highlights-power-exports-lo
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<p>Yesterday, Deputy Secretary
Bruce Andrews visited Phoenix, Arizona to learn about local businesses who
export goods. He first joined Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and APS BioGroup
President &amp; CEO Bob Davies for a tour of APS BioGroup’s manufacturing
facility.&nbsp;The Phoenix-based producer and manufacturer of health products
exports their goods to 57 countries. Exports have been part of the company
since its inception, and in 2011, it received the President’s “E” award for
increasing U.S. exports. </p>
<p>After seeing APS BioGroup’s
facilities and meeting employees, Deputy Secretary Andrews talked with local
business leaders about the importance of trade and exports to the local,
regional and national economy. Exports support 11.3 million jobs nationwide,
and they support nearly 96,000 jobs in Arizona. In 2013, Phoenix exported $11.5
billion, making the city the nation’s 27<sup>th</sup> largest export market. </p><p>In addition to exports, American
prosperity is directly tied to our ability to reach new markets and new
customers beyond our borders. To gain access to the 95 percent of consumers who
live outside the United States, it is crucial that Congress pass trade
promotion legislation, which will enable the Obama Administration to negotiate
two major trade agreements. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic
Trade &amp; Investment Partnership (TTIP) are comprehensive, high-standard
trade and investment agreements that are currently in the midst of negotiation.
Reaching an agreement on TPP and TTIP will give American companies a level
playing field to compete with other countries for opportunities with
approximately 65 percent of the world’s GDP. American access to markets abroad
will also enable U.S. businesses to expand, hire more workers, and pay better
wages at home. </p>
<p>During a roundtable with Phoenix
business leaders and Mayor Stanton, Deputy Secretary Andrews highlighted the
advantages of America implementing new trade agreements around the world, which
consist of promoting our values, raising standards, and maintaining a global,
competitive edge for our businesses. With our leadership and involvement in
TPP, we are bringing together critical strategic alliances with partners around
the world – ensuring that the United States continues to shape and define the
global economic culture. Currently, the U.S. has 14 trade agreements in force
with 20 countries. Mexico is Arizona’s largest export market, representing 36.4
percent of the state’s total merchandise exports. Countries around the world
want American goods, and these new trade agreements will help our businesses
get their goods and services into more people and countries, creating jobs and
growth. </p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/20/deputy-secretary-andrews-visits-phoenix-manufacturer-and-highlights-power-exports-lo#commentsDeputy Secretary Bruce AndrewsExportTrans-Pacific PartnershipTransatlantic Trade & Investment PartnershipFri, 20 Feb 2015 22:30:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17551 at http://www.commerce.govStaying Ahead of Technology: Innovating on Education to Close the Technical Skills Gaphttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/19/staying-ahead-technology-innovating-education-close-technical-skills-gap
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<a href="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/adam-enbar-ceo-the-flatiron-school-1200x1800.jpg" rel="lightbox[field_photo][Adam Enbar, CEO of The Flatiron School&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/images/2015/february/adam-enbar-ceo-the-flatiron-school-1200x1800.jpg&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; id=&quot;lightbox2-download-link-text&quot;&gt;Download Original&lt;/a&gt;]" class="imagefield imagefield-lightbox2 imagefield-lightbox2-custom_crop_350x230 imagefield-field_photo imagecache imagecache-field_photo imagecache-custom_crop_350x230 imagecache-field_photo-custom_crop_350x230"><img src="http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/custom_crop_350x230/images/2015/february/adam-enbar-ceo-the-flatiron-school-1200x1800.jpg" alt="Adam Enbar, CEO of The Flatiron School" title="Adam Enbar, CEO of The Flatiron School" width="233" height="350" /></a> </div>
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<p><strong><em>Guest
blog post</em></strong><em> by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamenbar" target="_blank">Adam Enbar</a>, CEO of The Flatiron School. &nbsp;In the last several years, The Flatiron School has made a
name for itself training passionate, creative students for careers in web and
mobile development. The school maintains a 99% job placement rate at companies
that employ technical talent, including Etsy, Boeing, and Google. </em></p>
<p>In the United
States, there are currently half a million open “tech jobs,” and that number is
only expected to grow over the next 10 years. These are good jobs—with reported
median salaries of more than $90,000. The key to matching job-seekers of this
and future generations with these positions lies solely in access to passionate
teachers and a relevant technical education. </p>
<p>To this end,
new educational models are created every day. In general, there are four ways
new models can help students get the skills they need to succeed. They can help
more people access technical training, align their curriculum with the
realities of today’s job market, inspire K-12 students with the power and
potential of technology, and aim to improve people’s lives through education. </p>
<p><strong>Expanding
Access to</strong> <strong>Education</strong></p>
<p>Half the challenge of encouraging people to
pursue a technical education is increasing access to education in general. As
the cost of higher education rises at a record pace, an increasing number of
people are being left out of the opportunity to pursue any sort of advanced
skill training.</p>
<p>The success of the GI Bill underscores the need
for a larger idea of what it means to obtain an education. People come from
different backgrounds and learn differently. As educators, we should
accommodate these differences and advocate for more options for learning. As
employers, we should do the same—more accessible education means a more skilled
labor force and a more diverse talent pool.</p>
<p>Over recent
years, government at all levels has stepped in to remedy this problem. In his 2015
State of the Union, President Obama outlined a plan to provide free Community
College education to anyone who needs it. At the local level, New York City’s
Tech Talent Pipeline initiative, which kicked off with the NYC Web Development
Fellowship, offers free, outcomes-oriented technical training to low income New
Yorkers without a college degree.</p>
<p><strong><!--break-->Bringing
Code to High School</strong></p>
<p>Expanding
access to technical education also means teaching critical technical skills to
younger age groups. In a time when technology is fundamentally changing how we
live, fluency in programming skills has become a new kind of literacy. Without
significant investment in technology training at younger ages, we risk falling
behind countries like England, who’ve mandated Computer Science as a basic high
school graduation requirement. </p>
<p>Further, as
the technology industry struggles to increase diversity among its workforce,
exposing a broader range of students to the field, at a younger age, becomes
increasingly critical. To inspire our youth to become leaders in tech and to
ensure the future competitiveness of our country, we must show students the
power and potential of technology well before they submit their college
applications.</p>
<p>While school
districts across the country are expanding their acceptance of Computer Science
as satisfying a core graduation requirement, <a href="http://code.org/files/Making_CS_Fundamental.pdf" target="_blank">one the biggest challenges</a> they face is finding teachers qualified
to deliver the relevant curricula. In the wake of this demand, innovative
programs have emerged to fill the gap. <a href="http://Code.org">Code.org</a>,
a national nonprofit, recently partnered with the City of Chicago to provide
Computer Science Training for <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/20/technology/chicago-coding-education/" target="_blank">nearly 200 K-12
teachers</a>. Likewise,
Flatiron School’s <a href="http://flatironschool.com/precollege/" target="_blank">Pre-College
Program</a> has partnered
with Teach for America to train high potential instructors in Computer Science
Education. </p>
<p>Our
Pre-College students have shown us that a computer science education can make a
huge difference in their lives if they have access to good teachers,
challenging and relevant material, and the freedom to exercise their creativity
to pursue their individual passions.</p>
<p><strong>Aligning
Education With Reality</strong></p>
<p>Technology
evolves quickly. As a result, there is often a disconnect between the
technologies companies utilize and the ones schools teach. This disconnect is
evident in recruiting departments across the country where companies are finding it difficult to find skilled
talent to fill key roles within their organizations, even while youth
unemployment remains a critical issue. </p>
<p>Closing the
skills gap requires a deep collaboration between education and industry.
Educators need to create tight feedback loops with industry in order to ensure
they are teaching relevant skills. In regard to programming curricula, a line
of communication with tech companies should inform what schools teach—ensuring
that we are not only teaching the skills that truly power our economy but also
setting students up for career success.</p>
<p>In addition
to the transactional benefit of filling open positions in software development,
programming skills can help students develop professionally regardless of their
job title. Technology is so ingrained in our lives that every trade benefits
from code and those who know how to wield it. A journalist can visualize data
to write more compelling stories; a marketer can build and test websites. To
ensure the politicians, activists, CEOs, doctors, and artists of the future are
the best they can be at their jobs, basic technical fluency is becoming
absolutely critical.</p>
<p><strong>Optimizing
Education for Happiness</strong></p>
<p>The goal of educating should be
nothing less than to help students live better lives. Education does not simply
help fill jobs. For many students, it can be a critical path to economic
mobility and personal fulfillment.</p>
<p>Education
should be a way to excite people’s passions for learning and give them both a
marketable skill and a career at which they can excel—not just because it earns
them money, but because it is something that makes them happy. It was out of
this idea that The Flatiron School was formed.</p><p>In
addition to our curriculum and instructors, the guiding force behind Flatiron
School is our students—and their hunger to learn with eagerness and passion.
They approach their new careers ready for work and know intimately how to
learn. If, as a country, we can tap into people’s innate desire to grow and
find success, we can bolster our education system and grow talented, passionate
technologists.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/19/staying-ahead-technology-innovating-education-close-technical-skills-gap#commentsSkillsSkills trainingThu, 19 Feb 2015 22:13:47 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17549 at http://www.commerce.gov NIST Awards $20 Million for Research Center to Help Communities Increase Resilience to Disasterhttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/19/nist-awards-20-million-research-center-help-communities-increase-resilience-disaster
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<p>The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it has awarded a $20 million cooperative agreement to Colorado State University (CSU) to establish the Community Resilience Center of Excellence. Working with NIST researchers and partners from 10 other universities, the center will develop computer tools to help local governments decide how each can best invest resources intended to lessen the impact of extreme weather and other hazards on buildings and infrastructure and to recover rapidly in their aftermath.<br /><br />The Fort Collins-based center will receive $4 million annually for five years. NIST has the option to renew the award for five additional years, depending on performance and the availability of funds.</p><p>“This center complements NIST’s long-standing efforts to improve the performance of the built environment against natural hazards—such as tornadoes, coastal flooding, wildfires and earthquakes—as well as large-scale, human-caused disruptions,” said Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Acting NIST Director Willie May. “The tools developed by the center will help to further advance the important goal of disaster resilience from ambitious concepts to cost-effective solutions that communities can implement over time.”</p><p>Community disaster resilience includes preparing for anticipated hazards, adapting to changing conditions, and withstanding and recovering rapidly from disruptions.</p><p>Richard Cavanagh, NIST Acting Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, announced the award at the&nbsp;<a id="CP___PAGEID=3109808,4th-disaster-resilience-workshop.cfm,931|" href="http://www.nist.gov/el/building_materials/resilience/4th-disaster-resilience-workshop.cfm">NIST Disaster Resilience Workshop</a>&nbsp;in Del Mar, Calif. The meeting is the fourth in a series of regional workshops that NIST has convened to gather input from a broad network of stakeholders as the agency drafts its&nbsp;<a id="CP___PAGEID=2913611,framework.cfm,931|" href="http://www.nist.gov/el/building_materials/resilience/framework.cfm">Disaster Resilience Framework</a>.</p><p>The framework will provide guidance to communities as they consider pre- and post-event actions and investments to prevent future hazards from inflicting devastating consequences. The framework focuses on buildings and infrastructure systems, such as power, communication, water and transportation. It also will address how to maintain social services and institutions vital to meeting the needs of community residents, as well as economic functions. Work at the new center will support this sustained effort.<!--break--></p><p>The new center will collaborate with NIST to achieve its long-term goal of developing tools that individual communities can use to assess their resilience. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of alternative measures intended to improve performance and minimize post-disaster disruption and recovery time. These tools will improve decision-making so that communities can build a “business case” for the measures they take.</p><p>The centerpiece of the center’s effort will be NIST-CORE—the NIST-Community Resilience Modeling Environment. Built on an open-source platform, the computer model and associated software and databases will incorporate a risk-based approach to decision-making that will enable quantitative comparisons of different resilience strategies.</p><p>NIST-CORE will provide the scientific basis for developing resilience metrics and decision tools to support the resilience of the built environment and for evaluating cascading effects arising among interconnected infrastructure. In addition, models and tools will integrate social systems vital to the functioning and recovery of communities—health care delivery, education, social services, financial institutions and others.</p><p>As NIST-CORE is developed, its performance will be tested against data gathered from past disasters. Ultimately, NIST-CORE will be able to learn from one analysis to the next, a capability that does not exist in any other risk or disaster-resilience model in the world.</p><p>John W. van de Lindt, CSU’s George T. Abell Distinguished Professor of Infrastructure, serves as the center’s principal investigator and co-director. Bruce Ellingwood, CSU professor of civil and environmental engineering, is the other co-director. Associate directors are Paolo Gardoni, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Daniel Cox, professor of civil and construction engineering at Oregon State University.</p><p>The center’s multi-disciplinary team includes experts in engineering, economics, data and computing, and social sciences from the University of Oklahoma, Rice University, Texas A&amp;M University, the University of Washington, the University of South Alabama, the California Polytechnic University in Pomona and Texas A&amp;M-Kingsville.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/19/nist-awards-20-million-research-center-help-communities-increase-resilience-disaster#commentsColorado State UniversityCommunity Resilience Center of Excellencedisaster resilience frameworkNIST-Community Resilience Modeling EnvironmentWillie MayNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyThu, 19 Feb 2015 18:26:14 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17546 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Pritzker Discusses Entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation’s 2015 State of Entrepreneurship Addresshttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/18/secretary-pritzker-discusses-entrepreneurship-kauffman-foundation%E2%80%99s-2015-state-entre
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<p>Last
week, Secretary Pritzker <a href="/news/secretary-speeches/2015/02/11/remarks-us-secretary-commerce-penny-pritzker-kauffman-foundations">delivered remarks</a> on the leadership of the Commerce
Department and the entire Obama Administration in promoting entrepreneurship
across the United States at the 2015 State of Entrepreneurship Address, hosted
by the Kauffman Foundation. Her remarks were delivered to various business
leaders, policy experts, non-profits, and government officials to address the
impact and importance of America’s entrepreneurs in our country’s economy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Secretary
Pritzker highlighted the Commerce Department’s role in ensuring there is an
infrastructure of opportunity to support entrepreneurship domestically and
internationally. As the driving force behind the Administration’s focus on
entrepreneurship, the Commerce Department partners with businesses to set the
conditions for innovators and new businesses to test new ideas, take risks, find
financing and customers, and ultimately thrive. Many of the Department’s core
responsibilities help create the essential infrastructure of opportunity for
entrepreneurs – whether issuing patents that protect intellectual property,
making investments in local economic development, collecting and disseminating
data to inform better decision making, expanding access to broadband, or
protecting a free and open internet.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Specifically,
since the launch of the Department’s <a href="http://beta.commerce.gov/PAGE">Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship
(PAGE) initiative </a>in collaboration with the White House, Department of State
and U.S. Agency for International Development, 11 entrepreneurs serve in an
ongoing dialogue with policy makers globally to create an environment where
creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship can grow and thrive. In the coming
months, PAGE will expand so more business leaders can share their experiences
as CEOs and share recommendations to better support the business community both
at home and abroad. The Commerce Department has also re-established the
<a href="http://www.eda.gov/oie/nacie/">National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE)</a>, which
brings together top academics, business and non-profit leaders to advise the
Department on innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-driven skills training
to support the current and next generation of entrepreneurs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In
her remarks, Secretary Pritzker discussed the launch of the Startup Global
pilot program, an initiative that will begin in the next few months and feature
a series of incubators in Cincinnati, Nashville, Arlington, and Washington, D.C.,
where entrepreneurs can get technical assistance and information on how to
export.&nbsp;<!--break--></p>
<p>In
an effort to improve how the government works with businesses to promote
entrepreneurship, Secretary Pritzker announced a new partnership between the
Census Bureau and the Kauffman Foundation to improve the way entrepreneurship
is measured. Through this effort, the Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners
will be conducted every five years to reflect the current state of businesses.
It will help improve the way entrepreneurship is measured and enable the
federal government to gain a better understanding of the dynamics and
challenges faced by U.S. entrepreneurs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Additionally,
Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Congresswoman Tulsi
Gabbard (D-HA) both spoke at the event. Administrator Contreras-Sweet spoke
about workforce development as a key driver of economic growth and
Congresswoman Gabbard spoke about the new generation of entrepreneurs.
Congressmen Jared Polis (D-CO) and John Delaney (D-MD) also spoke at the event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Entrepreneurship
is an essential and fundamental ingredient in our nation’s economic prosperity
and leadership, and the Commerce Department is dedicated to ensuring all businesses
have the tools needed to succeed in today’s economy. &nbsp;</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/18/secretary-pritzker-discusses-entrepreneurship-kauffman-foundation%E2%80%99s-2015-state-entre#commentsKauffman FoundationBureau of the CensusSecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerWed, 18 Feb 2015 23:47:35 +0000kcpullen@doc.gov17544 at http://www.commerce.govSecretary Pritzker Participates in White House Cyber Security Summit to Discuss Importance of Public-Private Collaboration To Combat Growing Threatshttp://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/18/secretary-pritzker-participates-white-house-cyber-security-summit-discuss-importance
<p>Secretary
Penny Pritzker joined President Barack Obama last
week at the White House Cyber Security Summit at Stanford University in
Palo Alto, California. Designed to help shape public and private sector efforts
to protect American consumers and companies from growing threats, the Summit
offered Secretary Pritzker an opportunity to hear directly from businesses about their concerns, and to highlight the
Commerce Department’s work to combat these threats
and strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity.</p>
<p>During
the Summit, business leaders across many sectors spoke
about the growing issues of online security and how to best protect businesses, consumers and
critical infrastructure. Secretary Pritzker moderated a panel titled
“Improving Cybersecurity Practices at Consumer Oriented Businesses and
Organizations,” that brought together CEOs
and business executives from the financial services sector, the technology
industry, and civil society. Panelists included Bank of America CEO Brian
Moynihan, MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga, AIG CEO Peter Hancock, Intel Corporation’s
President Renee James, and Center for Democracy and Technology CEO Nuala O’
Connor. </p>
<p>During the panel Secretary Pritzker asked each panelist how they
can align
policies and operations to better protect themselves and their customers, and asked them what ways they
thought would be the most efficient for government and industry to partner in developing stronger security
standards. Each of the panelists praised the effectiveness of the <a href="http://www.nist.gov/cyberframework/upload/cybersecurity-framework-021214-final.pdf">National
Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework</a>
in
creating a benchmarking process that companies should adhere to. With
technology evolving quickly, participants also stressed that there should be
more collaboration between businesses and the government to address
cybersecurity concerns.&nbsp; </p>
<p>To
further this dialogue, Secretary Pritzker attended a luncheon roundtable hosted by President Obama with
the CEOs of Apple, Square, QVC, Visa, First Data, Intel, AIG, Mastercard,
Bank of America, Citi, American Express, PG&amp;E, and Palo Alto Networks where they discussed how to move these concerns to the
forefront and work together to find solutions to these growing threats.</p>
<p>Cybersecurity is
a shared responsibility, and the United States government has legitimate
interests in safeguarding the privacy and security of its citizens, as well as
ensuring an equitable and level playing field in the digital economy. Secretary
Pritzker understands this notion and recognizes that the NIST Framework, which
was developed using a multi-stakeholder process involving many of the companies
that attended the summit, is a great example of how the private and public
sectors can work together to find timely, effective
solutions.</p>http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2015/02/18/secretary-pritzker-participates-white-house-cyber-security-summit-discuss-importance#commentsCybersecurityNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyOffice of the SecretarySecretary of Commerce Penny PritzkerWed, 18 Feb 2015 21:15:00 +0000mkruger@doc.gov17550 at http://www.commerce.gov